Program Information
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
FUNdamentals Swim School: Stse’elhtun* Learn to Swim Program
Program Coordinator: Riley Janes riley@duncanstingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: Active Start & FUNdamentals
Weekly Program commitment: 1 – 3 water sessions per week
Equipment required for Stingrays’ FUNdamentals Swim School:
- Bathing suit
- Goggles
Active Start (Pre FUNdamentals)
Prerequisite: swim 10m unassisted – in any fashion, just all by themselves = Red Cross Swim Kids 2 completed.
This program is the first step in the development of a young swimmer; typically ages 5 – 6yrs of age. Essential skills include familiarity with the water environment including the introductions to the basics of our sport in floatation, propulsion, transfer of body weight, streamlines, kicking. At the conclusion of the group, Swimmers will begin to learn the basics of Freestyle and Backstroke.
FUNdamentals Stage 1
Prerequisite: swim 25m unassisted = Red Cross Swim Kids 4 completed.
This program is the second step in the development of the young swimmer; typically 6 – 7yrs of age. Basics of floatation/propulsion/streamlining skills are improved upon.
Competition in our in house Time Trials “Orange & Black” is encouraged but not mandatory. Orange & Black Time Trials are held once per Cycle. Parent volunteer as an Official is encouraged.
Swimmers will learn the basics of all 4 Swimming strokes right from the start:
- Freestyle
- Backstroke
- Breaststroke
- Butterfly
Focus for this level is learning the basics of flotation and body position. Propulsion with the legs ie "kick" is also a major component of this level of Swimming. The basics of each stroke’s turns along with the standing dive are developed.
FUNdamentals Stage 2
Prerequisite: swim 25m Freestyle, 25m Backstroke, familiarity of Breaststroke, Butterfly (kick).
This program is the third step in the development of a young swimmer; typically 7 – 8yrs of age. Skills from the previous levels are developed further. Swimmers will learn how to more efficiently connect the arms & legs to form the 4 Swimming strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly.
Focus for this level is mastering the basics of floatation, body position, and propulsion with the legs ie "kick" is also a major component of this level of Swimming. The rules for each of the Strokes in the Sport of Swimming are also expanded upon along with the of each stroke’s specific turns.
Competition in our in house Time Trials “Orange & Black” is encouraged but not mandatory. Orange & Black TT are held once per Cycle. Parent volunteer as an Official is encouraged.
FUNdamentals Stage 3
Prerequisite: swim 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke, and 25m Butterfly.
This program is the fourth step in the development of a young swimmer; typically 7 – 9yrs of age. Full strokes of Butterfly, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Freestyle are developed, along with turns, underwaters, finishes, dive starts and back starts. Swimmers will also expand on their Mental Skills learned in Stage 2: counting in 25m increments, counting repetitions per set, using the pace clock starting with 25s on 1:00, then repetitions on :50, so on so forth. Practices will typically exceed 500m within a session.
The rules for each of the Strokes in the Sport of Swimming are reinforced and swimmers will work to expand their endurance. Competition in our in house Time Trials “Orange & Black” is encouraged but not mandatory. Orange & Black Time Trials are held once per Cycle. Parent volunteer as an Official is encouraged.
NEW THIS YEAR:
The Duncan Swim Team has a rich history which includes the amalgamation of the Duncan Swim Team Society and the Cowichan Stse’elhtun Swim Club Society in 2007. The DST Board of Directors have recently uncovered this hidden history.
The Cowichan Stse’elhtun was a swimming program created by our Team’s Head Coach Leanne Sirup in partnership with Cowichan Tribes in 2004.
With the 2024/25 year, the Stingrays honor our Team’s history with custom artwork created for the Stse’elhtun by local Salish Artist Qwiyahwult-hw (Stuart Pagaduan) of Cowichan Tribes.
“Stse’elhtun” is a Hul’q’umi’num’ word meaning Salmon. Pronunciation: Seh / e / tin
Duncan Swim Team's Competitive Programs
The Stingrays' Competitive programs are geared towards our youth and are based upon the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy created by Swimming/Natation Canada. All Stingrays staff are trained and certified with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA).
The Stingrays' competitive swim groups include:
- D Group: 2 - 4 water sessions per week
- Program Coordinator: Sophie Paridaen van Veen sophie@duncanstingrays.com
- NCCP AAD phase: Learn to Train
- C Group: 3 - 7 sessions per week
- Program Coordinator: Riley Janes riley@duncanstingrays.com
- NCCP AAD phase: Learn to Train
- B Group: 5 - 8 sessions per week
- Program Coordinator: Leanne Sirup leanne@duncanstingrays.com
- NCCP AAD phase: Train to Train
- A Group: 7 - 10 sessions per week
- Program Coordinator: Leanne Sirup leanne@duncanstingrays.com
- NCCP AAD phase: Train to Compete
Entrance into each of the above levels of the Duncan Swim Team require specific knowledge and skills so all placements are assigned by the Stingrays Staff in combination with the Swimmer's proven commitment. Skills for each level is specific, but not limited to each swimmer's physical, mental, technical, tactical, strategic, social, and emotional development. Swimmers must also work well in a group environment in consideration of their teammates.
COSTS:
- Annual:
- $163 SwimBC Competitive Registration (all ages)
- Annual:
- $50 DST Account Activation Fee
- Annual: Team Support Points (formerly known as Family Participation Points "FPP")
Team Support is calculated at the highest commitment of a single swimmer from your household. Each additional swimmer = $100 per regardless of their Group.
Team Support is credited when volunteering at a single Stingrays session throughout the Stingrays 24/25 season- $300 = 3 sessions D Group
- $400 = 4 sessions C Group
- $500 = 5 sessions B Group
- $600 = 6 sessions A Group
- Annual: Swimming Dues
- Annual Dues can be paid in monthly installments with the season running mid sept to mid July. Monthly dues are invoiced for 15th of each month, payable prior to the month start
The Stingrays' Fit 4 Life programs are based upon the Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) strategy created by Swimming/Natation Canada. All Stingrays staff are trained and certified with the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and are members of the Canadian Swimming Coaches Association (CSCA).
Our Fit 4 Life program is primarily Non Competitive and typically includes:
- SwimActive: Age Group to 17yrs
- Masters: adult age 18yrs minimum
- Solo Stingrays: private sessions for all ages
- Special Programs:
- Pacheedaht First Nation
- Special Olympics: Duncan, BC
- BCSSA crossover: Cowichan Valley Breakers
The main goal of this program is to provide the opportunity for all who want to swim ie "a lane for all".
Program Descriptions & benchmark expectations
The Duncan Swim Team subscribes to the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and its Appropriate Athlete Development (AAD) model for long term development in sport and physical activity, in its entirety.
All DST Staff are trained and certified through the NCCP, are members of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), and meet the Swimming Canada / Swim BC coach registration requirements; including but not limited to: NCCP Making Ethical Decisions, Coaches Association of Canada’s Safe Sport Training, and Respect in Sport Coach Program, registered annually.
Fit 4 Life Program
Program Coordinator: Natalie Enzs natalie@duncastingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: Fit for Life
Weekly Program commitment: 1 – 2/3 water sessions
SwimActive – age group, non competitive
Prerequisite: complete the Stingrays’ FUNdamentals Swim School program; complete all 3 Stages. For those who are new to the Stingrays and want to join the SwimActive program, they must display skills and appropriate knowledge of each stroke (Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly), ability to work well in group settings, respect the training environment. Our aim is to assist Swimmers to their own Aquatic goals; Swimmers must be prepared to learn competition swim skills and swim more than 800m within each session.
Created specifically for swimmers who have completed their Stingrays FUNdamentals Swim School education and skills. This group is considered a non competitive group with an eye towards fitness as the focus. Competition is still an option as swimmers will be trained to the rules according to Competitive Swimming
BCSSA members please note: This group also allows for BCSSA members to maintain their Summer Swimmer status with each practice being 1hr water time. BC Summer Swimming mandates any Winter Maintenance programs to be maximum 2hrs of instruction per week, please plan your membership commitment accordingly.
Masters – adult, fitness & competitive
Prerequisite:. 18yrs of age minimum, ability to swim a minimum of 500m (20lengths) unassisted - it need not be continuous but please note that this is not a Learn to Swim program. If this is beyond your ability, we encourage you to explore our Solo Stingrays option.
The Duncan Swim Team Masters program is geared towards lifelong fitness for adults 18yrs and older with consideration to older teens interested in fitness training. Our group is built up of recreational swimmers looking to improve their speed and technique. We also have focused Triathletes and dedicated Competitive Masters Swimmers. Swimmers will have the opportunity of learning skills related to all 4 swimming strokes: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, and Butterfly. The group cycles through and completes short, mid, and longer distances. We also work to incorporate each Swimmers’ goals – bring your ideas forth and all will benefit! Competition is available for all interested members.
The Stingrays Masters program is excited to support the competitive experience for our Masters! Interested in competing? Please be sure to let your Lead Coach natalie@duncanstingrays.com
Solo Stingrays*
Program Coordinator: Leanne Sirup leanne@duncastingrays.com
NCCP AAD phase: Fit for Life
Weekly Program commitment: tbd
“Solo Stingrays”: The DST Staff are available for private / semi private sessions (max 2 swimmers of similar ability). Cost and scheduling is dependent upon CAC rental and Staff availability.
Prerequisite: none. Program development is at discretion of attending DST Staff member in consultation with the family. Goals for participation will be requested. Timelines & duration will be discussed with attending DST Staff member.
*To note: the Solo Stingrays program is semi independent from the DST general membership.